Thursday, October 18

10:00–11:15 am

WA Do I Read Next? The Year's Best from Washington State AuthorsCome enjoy a lively review of books written by Washington state authors! Librarians from across the state will present brief and enticing booktalks for fiction and nonfiction that you’ll want to share with your patrons. This session is ideal for readers advisors, collection staff, and anyone who works in a library and loves books. Let’s support and celebrate the rich literary landscape of Washington! Booktalks will cover adult and youth books from every corner of the state.

Fostering a Community of English Language LearnersEnglish language learners can thrive in a social environment where they feel welcomed, make friends, and get support from tutors, staff, and other learners. We will discuss how to be responsive to the diverse needs of English language learners and how to better serve people with limited English proficiency. We will discuss resources for developing library programs for immigrants and refugees, supporting learners, and training volunteers.

Learning from Each Other: Intergenerational Learning with Storytelling & STEMWhen families use STEM concepts to tell their own stories that center around their culture, creativity, and values, learning comes to life. Hear about the transformative partnership between a public library, a university research team, a science center, and community-based organizations that codesigned family programs incorporating stories, robotics, and e-textiles. At the heart of this learning is family storytelling, a practice that brings folks of all ages together in a culturally responsive, strengths-based way. Attendees will learn ways to incorporate participatory design elements with partners in which power and knowledge are shared, as well as explore strategies for prioritizing storytelling in STEM programs.

Presenters:Ashley Braun, Digital and Family Learning Librarian, The Seattle Public LibraryRekha Kuver, Youth and Family Services Manager, King County Library SystemAmy Twito, Informal Learning Program Manager, The Seattle Public Library

No More Bad Signs! Promote Your Collection with Graphic Design (Even If You’re Not a Designer)Don’t let dated or boring signs get in the way of promoting your collections and resources. Great displays offer opportunities to feature a wide variety of materials that catch the attention of patrons. Learn how to use images to convey abstract ideas and broaden a specific idea while providing whimsy and delight to your patrons. In this workshop, we’ll look at ways to keep your signs fresh and modern, cover basic design principles, and share tools and resources you can use with any budget (even if funds are limited or nonexistent).

Built to Last: Selecting & Fostering the Right Community Partnerships for Your LibraryTo thrive and grow in the twenty-first century, your library must be more than just a destination. Today’s best library services take place where and when they are needed most. So, how can our libraries implement and codesign services for underserved populations while building strong connections with other community organizations who share our mission? Learn how to design your community listening to better establish thoughtful relationships, foster long-term partnerships, and create a network of service providers with shared goals.

Women in Leadership: What the Science Says & How to Move Forward in the Era of #MeTooWomen in the United States have more freedom than ever before to pursue their career goals. So why do they continue to be underrepresented at the top of the workforce, even in libraries, where there are so many women? Dive into the social science of gender perception and learn what the research reveals: What is “imposter syndrome”? Are you a “secret agent” or a “mother duck”? What characteristics do most Americans believe make a leader, and why is having those qualities not enough? How do we move toward a more equitable (and successful) future? This presentation is about women but for people of all genders!

Presenter:Alexa Andrews, Branch Manager, North Fork Community Library, Whatcom County Library System

Data Equity for Main Street: Bringing Open Data Home Through LibrariesFor the past year, twenty-six libraries in Washington and California, led by Washington's Office of Privacy and the California Research Service, have been developing and testing a curriculum for libraries to use to introduce their patrons to Open Data. In this session the organizers will showcase the polished and published curriculum, share what they learned in the course of the project, and discuss expansion plans for the future.

Presenter:Will Saunders, Open Data Guy, Washington State Office of the Chief Information Officer

The ABCs of the Washington Marijuana Industry—from CBD to THCIt’s a whole new, ever expanding universe out there in terms of the marijuana landscape in Washington State. Come hear from knowledgeable budtenders about the science behind cannabis and the public’s options between sativa, indica, vaping, vaporizing, bowls, buds and bubblers, and more. Also, from a business research librarian, learn about the market research process for helping customers open a grow facility, processing facility, and/or retail outlet in Washington.

Lightning Talks: Serving YouthAre you looking for new ways to engage youth in your library? Hear lightning-fast presentations from all types of libraries on books, tools, and activities. See how one library built a collaborative tapestry of library services in Washougal, Washington. Learn how to do research projects without having students "spit back" facts, but doing actual meaningful projects. Discover diverse YA books published in the last few years, and watch a video of students sharing why these books mattered to them. Walk away with a treasure trove of new K-6 titles to add to your library...with some lesson ideas to boot.

2:00–3:15 pm

#OwnVoices & Small Press Comics: Readers’ AdvisoryOwn Voices is a discussion that has come out of the hashtag “#OwnVoices,” created by author Corinne Duyvis on Twitter as a way to highlight kidlit about diverse characters written by authors from that same community. In this readers’ advisory panel, we would like to share Own Voices comics and graphic novels for all ages—in particular, highlighting small press comics you may have missed.

Feeding Kids for FreeDoes your library serve an economically challenged area? You may qualify as a Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Site Program (SFSP) site, which means you could be serving free food to kids ages 1–18 at no cost to the library. This session will provide you with an overview of the two programs and how a location qualifies to become such a site, as well as menus, shopping lists, budgets, and best practices from one library’s two years as a successful afternoon snack site serving more than 5,000 snacks annually.

Lightning Talks: Professional ResourcesLeave this session with a list of resources to take your career to the next level! Hear lightning-fast presentations from all types of libraries on resources for skill building, professional development, and career advancement. Learn how to hire great people. Washington is the first state to pass Media Literacy Education mandates; understand what that means for school library programs. Use infographics as an engaging and effective way to share and promote what you are doing in your library. Experience what the integration of Microsoft's Imagine Academy and their newly acquired LinkedIn Learning, aka Lynda.com, looks like. Discover professional development opportunities with WLA.

Leveling Up: Staying Current in an Evolving Learning EnvironmentAs capacity and bandwidth for library instruction services change, how can librarians reach more students and build information literacy competency into the curriculum? Bellevue College Library bridges the gap between library and eLearning to build and promote learning modules on a variety of information literacy topics. This move enhanced the services and support that the library offers and created an opportunity to work directly with faculty on the online version of their courses. In this session we will share our experiences building modules in Canvas, our best practices, and how we foster relationships with eLearning.

Building a Small Business Hub with Community PartnersEvery library can set up services that promote small business growth in its community. The process does not need to be intimidating or cost a lot of money. The key is to identify your small business resource partners and promote their services and activities while providing training for the resources you have. Public libraries are an ideal location to serve as a community small businesses hub, and by partnering with these organizations and businesses the library can concentrate on what it does best: provide information, instruction, referrals, and a space for meetings and presentations. Leave the hands-on small business work and training to those people and groups who run businesses or already provide these services.

Growing Leaders Through KCLS LEADSHow do you view leadership? Is it open to anyone, or something reserved for people in certain positions? At King County Library System, we believe that anyone can be a leader, regardless of your title. We are growing leaders through our new internal leadership development program: KCLS LEADS. Run as a “mini KCLS LEADS” module, this session will share activities, content, and insights from the full five-month program. Staff from all positions and all types of libraries are welcome. Come a learner, leave a leader with KCLS LEADS.

Presenters:Terry McQuown, Staff Development Coordinator, King County Library SystemChristina McKie, Assistant Operations Manager, King County Library System

Common Sense, Boots-on-the-Ground: Strategies for Defending Intellectual FreedomAre you prepared to respond to patron challenges to books and other information? Is your frontline staff trained? Come hear firsthand from a public selection librarian, a K–12 librarian, the Washington State Law Library Attorney, and a children’s author on how to prepare with policy, practical responses, and professionalism. Hear about challenges that have been reported recently to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom and current trends. Leave this session feeling empowered to reach out for help and support if your library has a censorship issue inside or outside the organization.

Books That Promote Social & Emotional SkillsIn this interactive session, a Youth Services Librarian and Early Learning Librarian will share how books can support social and emotional skills through themed-based learning. Try your hand at some related hands-on activities and hear booktalks on the topics of overcoming fear and challenges, identity, friendship and kindness, feelings, self-control, and more. Most of the books shared are new, with a few classics sprinkled in as well. This presentation will engage all audience members and will leave you wanting more!

Real Talk about Fake NewsAre you seeing a growing need in your community for better information literacy, especially when it comes to discerning online news? Join us to hear from two teacher librarians and an adult services librarian who teach digital news literacy. Learn resources and best practices for engaging students and community members around this topic, and share and discuss ideas for improving news literacy across the board.

3:45–5:00 pm

Romance Readers' Advisory: Beyond the DukesRomance is a billion-dollar genre, yet often it's still relegated to a punchline. How do you find titles that your patrons want to read? Where are the romances that aren't virgins and dukes? This program will cover romance subgenres, the importance of diversity in the genre, and resources for readers and readers’ advisory.

Engaging Patrons Experiencing HomelessnessOn a single night in January 2017, over 21,000 Washingtonians experienced homelessness. How can libraries best engage unhoused patrons and design programs and services that meet their needs? Join an interactive conversation with librarians in rural, midsize, and urban communities as they discuss evolving responses to the housing crisis. We’ll explore strategies for inclusion, coalition-building, and advocacy, and outline steps for creating effective partnerships to connect houseless patrons with social services and community resources.

Escape This: Creating DIY Escape Rooms for Your LibraryEscape/puzzle rooms are a popular way to incorporate “gamification” into your library. These interactive, live adventure games appeal to all ages and abilities, and let people be a part of a story and their community as they solve problems. The cost of hiring a company can create barriers to hosting this kind of program. So let's make our own! Public and school librarians from across the state will discuss the importance of gamification, key components to a room, how to create a framework to incorporate it into a library’s programming, and how it can help strengthen social bonds. Take part in an interactive workshop to develop an open-source escape room with puzzles to take back to your library.

VR in LibrariesVR (Virtual Reality) in Libraries is a project focused on the discovery and application of best practices using VR for learning and community engagement in libraries. Launching the pilot in January of 2018, the Washington State Library (WSL) and the University of Washington’s Information School (iSchool) have been working closely with six libraries, collecting and analyzing data, conducting in-depth interviews, and developing programming strategies that will be implemented when forty more VR systems are deployed in Phase II. Join our panel of representatives from this groundbreaking and evolving project as they share firsthand the outcomes of this extensive research; plus the ins and outs, what’s next, and programming ideas. This is also an opportunity to share your ideas and learn how your library can apply to participate in the VR in Libraries project that runs until the end of 2019. Please note that there will be no VR demo during this session, but there will be demo’s at the WSL/VR Experience booth.

Presenters:Joe Olayvar, Washington State Library Cindy Aden, State Librarian, Washington State Library Jin Ha Lee, University of Washington iSchool, Research TeamKung Jin Lee, University of Washington iSchool, Research Team Wendy E. King, University of Washington iSchool

Transactional to Transformational Volunteer Experiences: For Us, for Them, for Our CommunitiesCommunity members from all walks of life look to their libraries as highly desirable places to volunteer. They choose us. Once volunteers are active in our programs, are we making the most of these opportunities to really engage them? What does that mean anyway? Do they see themselves as part of the bigger picture, and why does that matter? Join us for an interactive session on taking the leap from everyday, transactional volunteer work to that which is truly transformational. We’ll talk through practical and strategic steps your library can take to start engaging volunteers who aren’t just helpers but library champions.

Pathways to LeadershipWhat’s your personal library leadership story? Each of us has one, no matter our position within a library. With the help of visual storyboarding (complete with Tarot-inspired cards), this interactive session guides you through the process of discovering a vital role in your organization and community. We’ll examine the skills and experiences necessary to be a strong library leader. No art experience necessary; all materials supplied. You’ll leave with a personal/professional leadership narrative as well as an exercise you can share with your team.

"What About Me?" Representation in Graphic NovelsModern comics and graphic novels are dismantling stereotypes by sidestepping the archetypical superhero in favor of depicting an array of diverse characters found within the pages. This session will delve into how contemporary graphic novels feature LGBTQ+, people of color, and differently-abled characters, as well as the significance of challenging traditional gender and societal roles. People of all ages are increasingly able to see themselves in the pages of stories that feature everyone from young people struggling with gender identities to a superhero with Down Syndrome. Attendees will leave the session with multiple titles to recommend and share with patrons looking for unique story lines and characters.

Presenters:Rhianna McBride, Library Associate II, Sno-Isle Libraries

How Information Shapes Perceptions of Land Use & Renewable Energy ResourcesUncover how Washington State began its efforts of conservation and its search for public and private partners for stewardship projects in renewable energy and natural resource conservation, while at the same time respecting the cultural heritage of people who lived on the land for generations. This presentation discusses Central Washington’s regional history through an examination of the many types of energy resources produced and their related industries. Further, we will explore how perceptions of these energy sources, and in particular those considered to be renewable, have been and continue to be influenced by the availability of relevant, free information, and what libraries can or should do to promote such information.

Let Me Tell You Why You Should Invest in Your LibraryWith growing budget constraints, it is hard to find resources for capital projects, not to mention invest in new innovations to enhance a patron’s experience. Learn the steps to creating a grassroots capital campaign in your library from start to finish—identifying donors and community partners, leveraging matching funds, and seeking grant opportunities. We will use the Spokane Public Library as an example to learn how they privately fundraised just shy of $200,000 for the remote access 24/7 library in a year’s time.

Friday, October 19

10:00–11:15 am

Connecting with Local Children's Book Authors & IllustratorsEnjoy fast and furious presentations (think “speed dating meets TED Talks”) from local authors and illustrators about their books, then mingle with the presenters during an informal meet-and-greet and signing. Find new books for your libraries, hear secret stories-behind-the-stories to spice up your book talks, check out presenters for potential school visits, gather new ideas for activities, get your questions answered, and pick up some swag. This celebration of books for school-age readers is presented by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Working with Underserved Populations: Libraries Collaborating to Enhance EffectivenessThe role of the Washington State Library is unique among the libraries of the state. We provide statewide leadership, work to facilitate best practices, and directly serve the residents of the state. This program will focus on collaboration between libraries and with other organizations to better serve all residents within our communities, including communities that are underserved. Three programs will be discussed: 1) The Institutional Library Services public library card partnership program; 2) The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library accessible materials and outreach; and 3) Veterans in Libraries. Each programs provides opportunities for local library collaboration and partnership development.

NASA @ My Library: Hands-on Space Science Programs for Any BudgetTake your STEAM programs out of this world with hands-on activities for children and teens. Learn about free resources to plan programs that will engage your patrons in active learning and give you enough background to be a confident “guide on the side.” Get program ideas and a list of resources that will help you plan for Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) 2019, the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, and more. Inspiring the next generation of astronauts, engineers and explorers doesn’t take a rocket scientist!

Presenters:Catherine Schaeffer, Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System Jenifer Loomis, Children's Librarian, King County Library System Paula Burton, Children's Librarian, King County Library System

Strategic Advisory: Measuring Reader EngagementDo you like the idea of using evidence-based evaluation and data to make your strategic plan a reality but aren’t sure how to make that happen? Learn how one library system established an evidence-based need for readers’ services, designed a plan to reach readers, and measured success. Gain actionable ideas for creating a similar plan at your library for effective readers’ programming and services—and walk away with the inspiration to apply it to all of your library services.

Cultivating a Community Reading Program in an Academic Library: Enriching the Soil to Let Challenging Ideas GrowLearn how one academic library recently undertook the challenge of cultivating and expanding the reach of a Community Reads program. Community Reads is an ongoing initiative in which the library partners with students, faculty, and campus stakeholders to select a campus-wide reading each quarter, with the goal of creating a safe space for our users to encounter challenging ideas through facilitated conversation. In this interactive session, we will share our successes and obstacles regarding marketing and outreach, creating campus partnerships, securing outside funding, and creating space for respectful dialogue. Collectively we’ll generate ideas and best practices for holding community conversations across a variety of library spaces and contexts.

Presenters:Chloe Horning, Librarian, University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College Campus LibrarySarah Leadley, Library Director and Associate Dean of University Libraries, University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College Campus LibraryNicole Gustavsen, Librarian, University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College Campus LibraryTami Garrard, Access Services Manager, University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College Campus Library Cora Thomas, Circulation Lead, University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College Campus Library

Keep Calm & Carry On: Planning Lessons to Prevent PanicHave you ever panicked on a Sunday night, not ready for Monday's first library class? Do you wonder if your students are retaining the information taught in lessons? Are you overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information to teach? Come learn how unit planning and calendar organization can help! By considering the developmental needs of learners, taking a thoughtful look at cyclical planning, selecting technologies to match learning outcomes, and building intention around various awards and holiday celebrations, student learning and engagement will increase while librarian panic decreases. At the end of this hands-on session, participants will leave with inspirational ideas to engage K–5 learners and an action plan to jump-start the rest of the school year.

Presenter:Arika Dickens, Teacher Librarian

Lightning Talks: Fresh Program IdeasLooking for new ideas to freshen up your library’s programming? Hear lightning-fast presentations from all types of libraries on programming ideas, tips, and tricks. Learn how to “REthink” craft time with recycled art and zero-waste programming. Find out about a reading/writing contest for 4th-12th graders, Letters About Literature, sponsored by the Washington Center for the Book and the Library of Congress. Discover the possibilities for large-scale programming: 18 programs, 1 day, 1 library, 3,326 total program attendance – yes, it is possible, and they’ll tell you how. Partner with a local historical site to create a book discussion program rich with history and local connections. Begin partnerships working with homeless populations in positive new ways.

Primarily Washington: Bridging the Gap Between Primary Sources & CurriculumPrimarily Washington is a new portal that bridges the gap between primary sources from the Washington State Library and Archives and teacher-developed lesson plans. Come see what we have in the portal now and hear what we have planned for the future. We will also explore our many other free digital resources.

WLA & the Washington State Legislature: How We Do It & How You Can Engage!Join members of the WLA Legislative Committee as we share WLA’s approach to working with our legislators, celebrate recent successes, and demystify how WLA members can get involved.

2:00–3:15 pm

Booktalking the Best with CAYASStruggling to keep up with the wealth of YA and MG literature available? Need more titles for your reading list? Join CAYAS and MLIS students from the University of Washington iSchool for a booktalking presentation full of fantastic new and new-to-you YA and MG titles that center on a range of diverse identities and experiences! We will highlight stories from the perspectives of Native/First Nations, immigrant, and LGBTQIA+ characters, those with mental illnesses, and more. The 20+ previewed books will focus on those published within the past five years and also include some yet to be published—you heard it here first!

Tech Petting ZooSTEM and STEAM are hot right now—and can be expensive. In this “supersession,” come in and test drive new technology without needless spending. Talk to fellow librarians about cost, programming, and if this technology is right for you and your patrons and students. This will be a hands-on experience. Plan on learning and having fun!

Supporting First-Generation Students: Benefits of Using PRIMO in Library InstructionServing first-generation students can be a demanding task for academic librarians. An underserved population, these students tend to be anxious about many academic tasks, including the need to identify and evaluate the quality of various information sources. This presentation delineates the efforts of one university library to incorporate PRIMO, an integrated discovery tool, as a means to design library instructional products that fit the personality traits and information-seeking preferences of first-generation students. Participants will learn about several issues related to using single-search interfaces and glean insights on how to turn those challenges into opportunities to develop more advanced information-seeking skills in first-generation students and thus increase their readiness to conduct independent research.

Cosplay for All: A How-to Programming Guide for BeginnersTeens and adults are clamoring for opportunities to show off their fandom spirit through cosplay, and libraries are looking to keep up with STEM learning while building twenty-first-century skills. This presentation will cover best practices for putting together a cosplay program, from getting approval to purchasing supplies and equipment. The presenters will share resources, including a program outline of a cosplay design and sewing lab program series, discuss the different aspects of cosplay, and demonstrate some construction basics. The presentation will provide resources for any library to develop a cosplay program that fits their community’s interests and abilities and is a ton of fun.

In 2001 Yakima Valley Libraries and the Yakima Valley Museum began a collaborative digital project called Yakima Memory. Originally funded by a grant through the Washington State Digital Images Initiative, Yakima Memory digitized and made available materials from both institutions’ collections. This presentation will focus on the origins, purpose, and evolution of Yakima Memory, looking at how we have had to reinvent the project to keep up with technology, evolving standards, a growing collection size, and community demand.

Unconference: Special Library DivisionJoin others from special libraries for this open and unstructured discussion of topics relevant to the important work that do, and where it’s heading in the future. With a main facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, to participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

What We Talk About When We Talk About Media LiteracyCome hear about recent Washington state legislation calling for the development of best practices and instructional recommendations for digital citizenship, Internet safety, and media literacy. We'll explore media literacy definitions and share examples from our library/tech teaching. Attendees will be invited to contribute as well. Presenters are librarian leaders from Action for Media Education (AME).

Canadian authors and publishers are creating some of the most innovative and trusted Indigenous children's materials and curriculum. For example, 70 percent of the books that appeared on Debbie Reese's "AICL Best Books of 2017" originated in Canada. However, it has not always been easy to source and locate these resources from within the United States. In this session, we will discover publishers, writers, and other trusted curriculum and resources that may have been created across a (colonial) border but whose subject matter absolutely holds value for librarians and educators working with children in Washington state and beyond.

Presenter:

Kyla Sweet, Education and Curriculum Specialist K–12, Western Washington University

3:45–5:00 pm

The Evergreen Committee is excited to present this year's new nominations for the Evergreen Teen Book Award as well as a new voting system designed to keep teens engaged with reading all year long. Listen to the book talks, see the new voting system, and discover the resources and curricular connections to standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and beyond.

Presenter:Jodi Kruse, Chairperson, Evergreen Teen Book Award

Libraries as Key Connectors in Cultivating Dementia-Friendly CommunitiesPersons with dementia and their carers are patrons of libraries. Libraries are neutral and vital places where persons look for information, creative programming and education. Since 2016 when the Washington State Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias Plan was released, the Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC) has been working with stakeholders (including Washington libraries) to encourage dementia-friendly communities. This workshop will discuss ideas for best serving this population. DAC resources and successful library programs in Washington and elsewhere will be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on developing Alzheimer’s Cafes, and how libraries are integral in collaboration to provide dementia-friendly communities.

Library Lights Out: Cultivating a Cross-Campus Partnership to Increase Library Outreach to StudentsLibrary Lights Out is an annual event from a university library in partnership with their campus housing department. Students spend the night in the library and participate in a variety of educational and fun activities, such as a library resources scavenger hunt and laser tag in the library stacks. Topics include an overview of the event, how to build cost-sharing partnerships with other campus organizations, how the event serves to further the organizational goals of both the library and housing department, and lessons learned over nine consecutive years of running this event.

REthinking Craft Time: Recycled Art, Community Partnerships & Zero-Waste ProgrammingIn one library system, a REthink! Fair and several all-ages Creativitea programs have grown out of community partnerships with local waste-reduction organizations, a university extension office, NOAA, and AmeriCorps. Learn how to bring similar low-cost, environmentally conscious, and fun craft programs and community partnerships into your library. Learn new ways you can conserve resources, create with recycled objects, reduce waste, and connect to local agencies. Ideas could include visiting-artist instructors, zero-waste kits, staff-led pressed leaf projects, artist trading cards, trashy fashion, decorated glass terrariums, holiday repurposed book crafts, and more!

Creating a Year-Long Training Focus on a Shoestring BudgetAre you working on a limited budget for staff development? Come learn how one region of a library system successfully adopted a yearlong staff training initiative to improve customer focus and work in a cooperative team environment across multiple buildings and work groups—all on a shoestring budget. Presenters will share insights into their motivation and development processes along with recommendations for free or low-cost resources. Lessons learned, staff feedback, and recommended practices will be shared.

Presenters:Michele Drovdahl, Regional Manager, East Region, King County Library System Amanda Hirst, Supervising Librarian, East Region, King County Library System Amber Wright, Operations Manager, East Region, King County Library System John Allman, Assistant Operations Manager, East Region, King County Library System

Unconference: School Library DivisionJoin others from school libraries for this open and participant-driven discussion of topics relevant to the important work that do, and where it’s heading in the future. With a main facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, to participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Facilitator:Marianne Costello, Chair, School Library Division

Identifying Your Building’s Research Projects & Aligning Them with OSPI’s Common Core Research StandardsThe Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) Common Core Research Standards offer teacher librarians a way to determine the current research projects being conducted in your school within the library and classrooms. Once these projects are identified, teacher librarians can work with departments to vertically plan research assignments within departments and throughout the school, so students receive a well-rounded education in learning information literacy skills and meet these common core standards. In addition, teacher librarians can use the results of their work to identify collection development of nonfiction resources that support the classroom teacher.

Saturday, October 20

10:00–11:15 am

2019 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award NomineesAttendees will be introduced to the 2019 WCCPBA nominees that are selected as read-alouds for K–3 students. Lesson plan extensions and additional resources will be shared to help support teacher librarians as they read these books with their students. Breakout sessions will provide a variety of activities and lesson adaptations to use with these books in the library or classroom.

Teen Voices: Using Youth Voice and Participatory Design to Create Youth-Led Library ProgramsTeen Voices was an initiative designed to promote youth voices and give teens an opportunity to learn valuable skills that translate into success in a twenty-first-century workforce. A group of Teen Services Librarians involved existing Teen Advisory Boards in project management by providing them with funding to plan and promote regional summits for youth in their communities. Teens learned skills such as budgeting, negotiation, public speaking, and time management, and also gained the social and emotional benefits of working together. These librarians will share the framework of connected learning as it relates to the project and discuss the successes and challenges of collaborative projects.

Presenters:Rachel McDonald, Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System Brooke Shoostine, Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System

Making Music in the StacksActive engagement with music lets people tap into music's creative potential to connect content and emotion, expression and understanding in fun and memorable ways. Engaging examples from school and public library programming will inspire you to incorporate music far beyond Dewey's 780s.

Raising Kids in a Digital World: A Collaborative Family Workshop ModelThe Raising Kids in the Digital World team uses cutting-edge research, real-world experience with students and families, and evolving best practices to push students and adults to shake up their understanding of the impact of media and technology on our daily lives. Take away resources and strategies to add digital citizenship topics to curriculum and programming, practice a healthy media diet, and develop a collaborative model for a family workshop program you can use on your campus or in your community as part of your outreach programming.

Washington's Libraries Work!Washington state's workforce development system is known to be one of the most progressive and effective in the county. Our libraries are starting to gain similar notoriety as they increasingly position themselves as critical players in state and local workforce development ecosystems. Hear from libraries across the state as they share ideas and tips for how to get involved—at whatever level makes sense to your staff size and community needs.

Unconference: Academic Library DivisionJoin others from academic libraries for this open and unstructured discussion of topics relevant to the important work that do, and where it’s heading in the future. With a main facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, to participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

School Library Accessibility & Inclusivity: A Roundtable DiscussionThis session will be a roundtable discussion focused on increasing accessibility and inclusivity in school libraries. Just as we strive to make our school libraries reflect cultural and racial diversity, we should also strive to make our libraries and instruction accessible and engaging to diverse groups of learners, such as students with specific learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, OWL-LD), students with autism, or students who favor visual and kinesthetic learning opportunities. Come with questions, ideas, an open mind, and a shared desire for increasing the success of some of our most vulnerable learners.

Genrefying This! : Genrefying School Libraries & Promoting a Reading CultureWhy organize your library into genres? Does it work? Does it help students? Two public librarians have undergone the Genrefication Transformation and have all sorts of gooey details to share with you, including the tools to start the process. Come hear from these librarians about what it means to genrefy the library and why it helps promote a reading culture in your building.

Presenters:Molly Picatti-Baker, Auburn High School Teacher Librarian, Auburn School District Kim Meschter, Chinook Middle School Teacher Librarian, NBCT, Highline School District

2:00–3:15 pm

Talking Up the Towner & Otter AwardsThe Towner Award and the Otter Award are voted on by students in the state of Washington. The Towner serves to honor excellence in informational texts intended for students grades 2–6, while the Otter recognizes outstanding transitional chapter books for students K–5. Join the 2018 Towner and Otter Award Committees for a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s winners and how they were chosen. Leave with ideas for how to use these outstanding books in the classroom, school library, and public library.

Cultivating an Alphabet of Ideas to Grow a Library & Build a CommunityDo you want the library to be a place where all patrons can grow and thrive? Do you want kids to be in the library because they WANT to be there? School libraries must be innovative and unafraid to try new things along with the tried-and-true methods. In this session, we will share ways to make collection management, space utilization, and technology implementation patron responsive. Attendees will also take home a wealth of information about contests, display ideas, activities, and other engaging ideas to keep students coming in to see what's going on.

What's New in Destiny 16.0Version 16.0 of Destiny Library Manager was released in the summer of 2018 and includes updates and enhancements to the Destiny Discover search interface which support easy discovery and access for all of your print and digital content. Designed for use by teachers as well as students and librarians, Destiny Discover allows access to WebPath Express and One Search resources, as well as publisher-hosted digital content. Collections by Destiny is a feature that creates new ways for librarians, teachers and curriculum staff to share free or purchased resources. Whether you need a place to house all of your resources for specific units, or want to have your students build a list of resources for a project, Collections can help. Add resources from anywhere – web pages, images, documents, videos and eBooks. Then, share your collections across the district, school or between users.

Getting It together: Public & School Library PartnershipsA public librarian and school librarian discuss how to build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships between schools and libraries. We will cover best practices for initiating contact with schools and how to build trust so that libraries and schools can work together to support teachers and student learning. We will highlight examples of successful partnership programs, provide concrete strategies for making connections and building on them once established, and answer questions on how libraries and schools can come together as a team.

Unconference: Public Library DivisionJoin others from public libraries in a self-directed round robin of topics. In each 15 minute slot you will decide which table to participate in. Table Captains will present diverse program ideas for adults and youth—including hands-on make-and-take components and necessary handouts. Additionally PLD leadership will host an open and unstructured discussion table of topics relevant to the important work that we do, and where it’s heading in the future. Join us to share your ideas through discussion and hear about your colleagues' favorite successes.

Facilitator:Amber Williams, Chair, Public Library Division

Growing Nonfiction Readers: Nonfiction Picture Books in Your CollectionNonfiction picture books are an increasingly important part of publishing. A writer and a librarian will explore the range of new narrative and expository nonfiction being published today and discuss how different books may appeal to different audiences. We’ll suggest tools for librarians to keep current with upcoming nonfiction releases and we’ll booktalk some great new titles. Finally, we’ll discuss ways to create buzz around these books. Attendees will leave with a booklist of not-to-miss new titles.

The Future of ALA and WLA During this session, leaders who are active in both the state chapter or affiliate and the American Library Association (ALA) will facilitate a conversation with attendees about the future of ALA, with particular focus on the relationship with chapters. Whether you are an ALA member, a member of the state chapter/affiliate, a member of both, or a prospective or lapsed member, we invite you to participate.

3:45–5:00 pm

Sasquatch Award Nominees & PromotionCome learn about the 2019 Sasquatch Award nominees and get ideas about how to promote them at your library. This children's choice award is aimed at readers in grades 4–6. The members of the Sasquatch Award Committee will introduce each book and suggest ways to engage readers through materials, activities, and outreach. If possible the 2018 Sasquatch Award–winning author will be present to accept the award and speak.

Drawing a Blank: Year-Round Outreach Melding Low-Tech with Hi-TechIn this panel session/workshop, academic library staff will discuss the challenges of outreach in college or university libraries. We’ll share a variety of methods and their level of success—both low-tech and high-tech. Examples will include whiteboards for student feedback, mascot branding, social media programming, in-house marketing and outreach, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to share their best advice and learn from the failures and successes of the panel members. Resources will be shared as well.

Paint to Learn: Promoting STEAM Literacy, Family Engagement & Creative ExplorationPaint to Learn, a collaborative initiative of one library's Project Child Success, helps young children develop their math readiness skills for Kindergarten. At these two-hour events, all participants paint canvases while facilitators integrate STEAM concepts (appropriate for ages 2–5)—such as shapes, measurement, and patterns—into the art activity. Attendees will learn everything they need to know, including curriculum, supplies, logistics, and resources, to help them host their own Paint to Learn events.

From Hot Mess to Sweet Success: How We Used a Library Appearance Assessment to Improve Our Patron ExperienceExperience one library’s Patron Experience Project pilot from beginning to end with all of the successes, hiccups, and lessons learned along the way. From assessment to decluttering and reorganization, participants will be led through the process of assessing a library’s appearance and functionality based on the user perspective, with emphasis on collaboration, flexibility, project planning, and patron input. Things were accomplished; there are pictures to prove it!

Creating Community, Creating Content: The Somali Alphabet Book ProjectWhat do you do when your library system doesn't have enough children's books in Somali? You partner with the community to create your own Somali book! See how a board book was cocreated by families from the Somali community, then published, promoted, and sold to other markets—domestically and internationally. The Seattle Public Library partnered with Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Housing Authority, Somali Family Safety Task Force, and four families who live in the NewHolly neighborhood of Seattle to cocreate and publish a Somali board book. Learn about how this unique partnership came to be and how community-driven programming can impact your library.

AASL Best Of…Don't miss this opportunity to learn how the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) can ignite your passion and your career! AASL President, Kathryn Roots Lewis, will help you navigate the multiple features and benefits of AASL membership while highlighting exciting and practical resources to help you in your career as a school library professional. Learn more about how your membership in AASL supports the profession and how you can get involved with the work of your national association. New and prospective AASL members are invited, and long-time AASL members are welcome to attend this great networking opportunity

Presenter:Kathryn Roots Lewis, American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President

A Practical Guide to Creating a "Windows & Mirrors" CollectionMembers of one school district's Library Equity and Diversity (LEAD) team will share ideas, resources, and practical steps for getting started diversifying library collections so that they provide both windows into others’ lived experiences and mirrors of students’ own identities. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the significance of windows and mirrors, to understand how student demographics and personal identities should influence collection development, and to engage with other attendees on resources related to selection, weeding, and other library procedures.

Cultivating Health: Harvesting Beyond the Basics Health InformationAre you stymied when someone asks for health information? Or do you have one “go-to site” that you hope will work for all health information requests? If WebMD is your fail-safe, your patrons are missing out on a wealth of free, helpful, and carefully curated health information. Come learn about evidence-based health resources that will support your community’s need for current, trustworthy health information recommended by a long-time librarian with expertise in providing consumer health information. In this workshop you will hear about and see demonstrations of a range of resources that go beyond the basic. You’ll also learn how the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) supports your library’s health information efforts through its Community Engagement Network. Bring your laptop or iPad so you can play along!

Presenters:Michele Spatz, NNLM All of Us Community Engagement Coordinator, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, University of Washington